Category: Train Art

Category Archives: Train Art

The streamlined glamour trains – The Texas Special – were ordered by both the Katy and Frisco systems in 1945. Katy’s #101 made its maiden voyage of regular service between St. Louis and San Antonio on May 15, 1948 . It was publicized and promoted as the glittering new “Flagship of the Southwest.”

The passenger cars were lavishly furnished with custom divans, reading and writing desks, refreshment lounges and observation areas. President Harry Truman enjoyed his excursions on the M-K-I when requiring transportation between his Missouri home and Texas points.

The longhorn steer lends a western flair and contrast to the flashy red and silver paint scheme of The Texas Special. Both are strong and majestic symbols of the west and are worthy to be called — “The Stars of Texas.

Norfolk Southern Railway was created in 1982 with the merger of Southern Railway and Norfolk & Western Railway. The corporate office resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
This scene depicts the Atlanta skyline at sunset using artistic license for all the engines to be “corralled” in the foreground.

Some factual statistics about the engines from left to right:

The “Switcher,” # 2409 was built in 1982 (model MP15DC EMD) with 1500 HP. It was immediately assigned to the Chattanooga, TN rail yards. # 3285 was built in 1978 (model SD40-2 EMD) with 3000 HP. # 9023 was built in 1997 (model D9-40CW) with 4000 HP. # 2658 was built in 2005 (model SD70M-2) also with 4000 HP. These road units are all currently in use with Norfolk Southern Railway.